Chapter 475: The Whereabouts of the Cultivation Technique

Only one person is recorded to have successfully formed a Golden Core:

Qingzhu!

"You must know him. That person is called Qingzhu, quite famous on Shaohua Mountain. Some even call him the Sword Demon." Granny Jing said.

It was him indeed!

When Granny Jing mentioned the person who created his own cultivation method, Qin Sang immediately thought of Senior Qingzhu.

In the cave dwelling of the Le sisters back then, Qin Sang discovered the sword marks left by Senior Qingzhu. At that time, he guessed that Senior Qingzhu had continued down the path of slaughter, either by finding the latter half of the 'Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter' or by creating the subsequent cultivation method himself.

Whether in the sect, at Xuanlu Pass, in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, or even during these three years in the chaotic island waters, Qin Sang had never stopped investigating Senior Qingzhu's whereabouts. He had always found nothing.

"After Senior Qingzhu disappeared, the sect also lost track of him. There was only one vague rumor in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. I have been searching for Senior Qingzhu for many years, but I haven't found any trace of him... Senior, have you perhaps met Senior Qingzhu?" Qin Sang recounted his search carefully, then asked Granny Jing.

"Of course you wouldn't find him." Granny Jing's expression was unreadable as she said in a calm tone, "Because he died in Ziwei Palace."

He died? Qin Sang was stunned.

A legend of Shaohua Mountain, exceptionally talented and brilliant, who inspired countless junior disciples, whose legend still circulates within the sect—he just died like that? Silently, without a trace, he perished in Ziwei Palace. Apart from Granny Jing, no one knew.

Qin Sang had never met Senior Qingzhu, but he had long admired him from afar. Upon hearing this news, he couldn't help but feel a touch of sorrow. Only by cultivating the 'Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter' could one truly understand how great Senior Qingzhu was. Without the Jade Buddha's protection, Qin Sang doubted he could have persevered until now. Senior Qingzhu's astonishing feat of splitting his soul, and his ability to resist the soul-devouring sword energy and killing intent erosion with his powerful personal will, was unprecedented and unparalleled. How could one not be impressed?

In Qin Sang's eyes, Senior Qingzhu should have been one of the most qualified cultivators to enter the Nascent Soul stage. Such a figure, just died like that?

Ziwei Palace! If it was Ziwei Palace, it made sense. Legends spoke of many mighty Nascent Soul cultivators perishing in Ziwei Palace. It wasn't surprising that Qingzhu died there, but it was truly regrettable!

"Where are Senior Qingzhu's remains buried, I wonder?" Qin Sang asked, intending to find a time to pay his respects.

Granny Jing shook her head. "His body is still in Ziwei Palace, in a heavily restricted area that others cannot reach."

Qin Sang was surprised. "Senior, if you didn't bring Senior Qingzhu's body out, how did you obtain the subsequent cultivation method? Could it be that you and Senior Qingzhu were old acquaintances, and he once gifted the method to you?"

Granny Jing did not answer Qin Sang's second question. She said, "I didn't obtain the subsequent cultivation method. I only know that Qingzhu left it where he died. Only those who have cultivated the 'Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter' can enter that place. If you want the subsequent cultivation method, you'll have to get it yourself."

"Go to Ziwei Palace myself to get it..." Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. Suddenly realizing something, he said in shock, "Only those who have cultivated the 'Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter' can enter... Is this cultivation method related to Ziwei Palace?"

Granny Jing retorted, "Don't you know that the 'Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter' was originally brought out of Ziwei Palace by one of your Shaohua Mountain ancestors?"

Qin Sang truly hadn't known. There were no records regarding the origin of the 'Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter' in Pagoda Peak. None of the people he was familiar with, including Qi Yuanshou, knew about this secret. In Pagoda Peak, there were quite a few incomplete cultivation methods similar to the 'Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter,' with incredibly varied origins, but very few could be successfully cultivated. The 'Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter' was actually connected to the ancient immortal palace, Ziwei Palace. No wonder its divine ability was so powerful. If it weren't for the fact that only uncultivable fragments remained, cultivators across the entire Minor Cold Domain would likely fight over it, and Shaohua Mountain wouldn't be able to keep it.

Qin Sang lowered his head, calmed his thoughts, and after a moment of deliberation, said solemnly, "Senior, you wouldn't tell me about Senior Qingzhu and the location of the subsequent cultivation method for no reason, would you? I have also heard about Ziwei Palace; it contains countless dangers. Even Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators must be cautious, let alone Foundation Establishment cultivators like us, who cannot simply venture in."

It seemed Granny Jing had known all along that he was cultivating the 'Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter.' Qin Sang even suspected that Granny Jing had seen through him during their first meeting in the Wen Yue Market. Back then, Granny Jing had accepted him into her secret market without investigation. Qin Sang had thought it was out of respect for Shaohua Mountain, but now it seemed it was not unrelated to the 'Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter.' Since she knew all along, why had she only brought it up now? Qin Sang could only think of one reason that would make Granny Jing change her mind: the Ebony Sword. The Bloodfilth Divine Light!

Granny Jing nodded and said frankly, "You are the second person I know who can cultivate the 'Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter' to this level. It's a pity you haven't managed to form a Golden Core yet. You guessed correctly; I do need your life-bound spiritual sword to help me with something. A divine ability like the Bloodfilth Divine Light is not common."

Just as he expected, Qin Sang hesitated, gave a dry laugh, and probed, "Senior, you wouldn't be asking me to use my life-bound spiritual sword to deal with Leng Yuntian, the sect master of Yuanshen Sect, would you?" He had heard clearly that Granny Jing's original intention for this trip was to confront Leng Yuntian, but only a Great Elder had appeared. When he saw Granny Jing actually nod, Qin Sang's smile completely vanished.

He couldn't discern Granny Jing's true strength, but he presumed she wasn't much stronger than Leng Yuntian; otherwise, she wouldn't have needed to scheme so elaborately. The Bloodfilth Divine Light was indeed formidable; it could cause magic treasures to lose their power temporarily, but it was only effective against magic treasures, having no effect on the cultivators themselves. Surely a mighty Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn't rely solely on one magic treasure, would they? He wasn't so arrogant as to directly confront a mighty Nascent Soul cultivator. Participating in a struggle involving a mighty Nascent Soul cultivator, even if caught in the aftershocks, would lead to certain annihilation.

"Rumor has it Leng Yuntian is a mighty Nascent Soul cultivator..."

Granny Jing scoffed, a sneer on her face. "Just a pseudo Nascent Soul! When Leng Yuntian was at the late Golden Core stage, he was severely injured in Ziwei Palace, leaving a fatal hidden danger. Later, his master, Leng Qian, sacrificed his own life to barely help Leng Yuntian break through his bottleneck before his own demise. But with the hidden danger unremoved, his cultivation can never compare to a true Nascent Soul cultivator. At most, he's slightly stronger than a cultivator at the peak of the late Golden Core stage, relying entirely on an inherited magic treasure. Otherwise, he wouldn't have remained holed up in Yuanshen Sect, not even daring to personally come to steal the Star Essence Stone. If it weren't for Ziwei Palace opening, he'd still be a timid turtle!"

Leng Qian was the previous sect master of Yuanshen Sect. He was widely renowned, a true renowned Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Ziwei Palace is divided into an Inner Palace and an Outer Palace. Qingzhu died in the Inner Palace. Without reaching the Golden Core stage, it's impossible to move an inch in the Outer Palace. Once inside the Inner Palace, if you don't trespass into the ancient halls, it's actually safer. If you agree, I can take you to the entrance of the Inner Palace and guide you on how to reach that specific location..." Granny Jing said.